Oxbow Books - Ancient Trees in the Landscape: Norfolk's arboreal heritage by Gerry Barnes and Tom Williamson

	Friday 25 May 2012

Ancient Trees in the Landscape: Norfolk's arboreal heritage

by Gerry Barnes and Tom Williamson

Ancient Trees in the Landscape is the outcome of many years research into the history of trees in Norfolk, and represents the first detailed, published account of the ancient and traditionally managed trees of any English county. Yet it is far more than a regional survey. It is an exploration of how trees can be studied as part of the landscape. It discusses how accurately trees can be dated; explains why old trees are found in certain contexts and not in others; discusses traditional management practices and how these changed over time; and looks at the various ways in which trees have been used in parks and gardens. Above all, it considers how trees were regarded by people in the past, and how this has affected their survival to the present. Ancient Trees in the Landscape is a fascinating and original study which sets out a new agenda in landscape history. It will be essential reading for countryside managers and conservationists, and for all those interested in landscape history, arboriculture, and the history of the English countryside. 184p, 73 col & b/w illus (Windgather Press, 2011)

Review Quote

"The authors present an interesting study of the ancient trees in an English county."

Marilyn K. Alaimo, garden writer and volunteer, Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden (2012)

1. Ancient Trees in the Landscape
2. Dating Trees
3. Trees of Farmland and Hedgerow
4. Woods and Wood-Pastures
5. Meaning, Beauty and Commemoration
6. Orchards, Pine Rows and Willow Lines
7. Conclusion
Index

About the authors

Gerry Barnes is Environment Manager at Norfolk County Council and Chair of the Forestry Commission Regional Advisory Committee for the East of England and of the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership. Tom Williamson is Professor of English Landscape History at the University of East Anglia. He has written widely on agricultural history, landscape archaeology and the history of landscape design.